Thursday, May 31, 2012

British shred-heavy metallers SAVAGE MESSIAH are preparing to return to the Netherlands tomorrow for two shows.

The band are set to perform at Little Devil in Tilburg tomorrow - Friday, 1st June - followed by a special after-party in Nijmegen on Saturday for the FortaRock festival, which features the likes of SLAYER, MACHINE HEAD, ANTHRAX, LAMB OF GOD and more.

SAVAGE MESSIAH frontman DAVID SILVER comments:

"So we're off to Holland this weekend, and we're definitely looking forward to playing in mainland Europe again. Hopefully these shows are just the first of many that we're aiming to play in Europe; we've got a cool set prepared. It's turned out to be a fortuitous escape from England, as I'm sure everyone will be going mental on account of the jubilee, and we'll be cranking the Sex Pistols' 'God Save the Queen' to get into the real spirit of the jubilee."

SAVAGE MESSIAH's new album, PLAGUE OF CONSCIENCE, is out now worldwide on CD and limited edition coloured vinyl LP. Get the album in Europe at http://bit.ly/A9ClhQ or in North America at http://bit.ly/AgH8Dc

PLAGUE OF CONSCIENCE is also available on iTunes with an exclusive bonus track at http://bit.ly/zqbuz3

Monday, May 28, 2012

333, the brand new album from North Carolina doom metallers HOUR OF 13, is out now in Europe.

333 is HOUR OF 13's third album, and was recorded at Epiphonic Studios in Lenoir, North Carolina. The album has been praised by DARKTHRONE mastermind FENRIZ, who recently featured HOUR OF 13 in his 'Band of the Week' column, stating, "This new Hour of 13 album simply cannot do wrong - it is immersed in utmost respect and understanding of the ways of old".

RIVAL SONS recently finished recording their highly-anticipated new album, which is due to be released on Earache Records in late August.

The band recorded the as-yet untitled follow-up to their 2011 breakthrough album, PRESSURE & TIME, with Grammy-nominated producer DAVE COBB (JAMIE JOHNSON, SHOOTER JENNINGS) and Grammy-winning engineer VANCE POWELL (JACK WHITE, THE WHITE STRIPES, KINGS OF LEON) in Nashville, Tennesee, where they worked with some of the exact equipment used by the likes of ELVIS PRESLEY and BUDDY HOLLY at the legendary Sun Studio.

"The making of the new album could be compared to a hurricane - it started off with a cool breeze, then quickly turned into raging winds and chaos, to being a tranquil calm in the eye of the storm for a couple of days, then to pure destruction, and then finishing with the most beautiful rainbow you've ever seen when it was completed!

"We recorded the album through mainly gear from the '50s and '60s - all old American tube stuff augmented by a vintage 1970s API console, all live with lotsa attitude and bleed. We even wrangled up the original mono ampex slap tape machine from Sun Studios from Memphis and the bass DI was from the Quanset Hut in Nashville where it had been used on Buddy Holly, Elvis, even Patsy Cline."

Grammy-winning engineer VANCE POWELL adds:

"A great combination of familiar sounds presented in a completely new way. It was great working with them."

"One of the really great things about David is his complete commitment to his gear obsession. I'm pretty nerdy with my own gear for studio and stage, but Dave just takes it to a whole other level with his studio. Compressors, pre-amps and other assorted gadgets from the most famous studios in the history of recording, including Sun Records, Decca, Capitol in Nashville etc... This is equipment that was used by The Who, Elvis Presley etc. Pretty incredible. It was also great to have Vance Powell to engineer and mix, who has the same fetish for gear collecting, with a special penchant for 'unusual and hard to get'.

"We use a lot of old equipment, but the intent isn't to make an 'old sounding record'... We use that incredible equipment simply because it sounds the best. Likewise, we'll use a lot of the old recording techniques, like distant-micing the drums, a la Glen Johns, using old huge analog plate reverbs, distant-micing on the guitars, and simply tracking everything together live in the same room.

"I used my live guitars on the album: a '62 Fender Jazz Master, a '65 Gibson non-reverse Firebird V, and a custom historic Firebird VII, as well as some of David's guitar collection too, including a '60 Gibson 335 with Bigsby, a Gretsch White Penguin, a '52 Gibby Les Paul conversion, and an early '60s Harmony Rocket, a la The Kinks! A few of the main amps were an old '40s Supro with a little 6" speaker, a Silvertone 2x12, and a VOX Berkley. Also many cool, old and new fuzz boxes, and a ton of other pedals. A cornucopia of fuzz rock colors and flavors.

"It was a very 'chew you up and spit you out' kind of process... Working with immediate decisions and performances day after day. It becomes even more intense when you're using a lot of first takes. For me, it's a mission to give the listener something as pure, honest and unadulterated as possible, which seemingly is the antithesis to the trend in mainstream music right now. The goal (tonally and song-wise) was to really spread our wings and reflect the past year... Playing live every night, doing a lot of improvising and exploring musically, and to open up some new territory, topically and sonically."

RIVAL SONS kick off a European tour today, Monday, 28th May at the Pinkpop festival in the Netherlands. Don't miss them on tour at the following shows:

PRESSURE & TIME is available now as a special redux edition, including two incredible bonus tracks, "Company Man" and "Life For This Road", plus a bonus DVD featuring these great videos:

* 'Gypsy Heart', 'Pressure and Time' and 'Soul' live from High Voltage festival * 'Pressure and Time', 'All Over the Road' and 'Get What's Coming' official promo videos * 'Pressure and Time' live backstage at Werchter festival * Pressure & Time promo trailer

Friday, May 25, 2012

PHIL SWANSON, frontman for North Carolina doom metallers HOUR OF 13, has taken part in a Question & Answer session with the band's label, Earache Records, ahead of the release of their new album, 333.

333 was recorded at Epiphonic Studios in Lenoir, North Carolina, and is due to be released on Monday, May 28th in Europe, and on July 30th in North America. The album has been hailed by DARKTHRONE's FENRIZ, who recently featured HOUR OF 13 in his 'Band of the Week' column, stating, "This new Hour of 13 album simply cannot do wrong - it is immersed in utmost respect and understanding of the ways of old".

An excerpt from the Q&A with PHIL SWANSON follows:

EARACHE: The album is just about to be released to the general public, but how do you guys feel about the album now that you've been living with it for the past few months?

PHIL: I actually feel much better about it now than when first hearing the finished mixes, as I have finally been able to listen with clean ears and an open mind, not looking for things I'd like to change or add. Now I hear it as a finished and complete record, and I am very proud of it and feel it's our best yet.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Singaporean grindcore trio WORMROT have released their NOISE EP on iTunes, including an extra track not featured on the original release.

The NOISE EP was originally released in 2011 in collaboration with Scion, and is now available with a unique cover of Texan indie-rockers EISLEY's "Many Funerals".

WORMROT guitarist RASYID explains why the band chose to cover the track:

"Eisley's been our guilty pleasure ever since I found out about them from a friend who covers their songs in church performances. I brought the riffs to the practice room without telling the rest it's actually a cover. It turned out better than expected! The EP title, 'Noise', is actually a nod to Eisley's 'Room Noises' album."

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

British shred-heavy metallers SAVAGE MESSIAH have been confirmed for this year's edition of the Bloodstock Open Air festival, which is held at Catton Hall in Derbyshire from 9th - 12th August.

The band will be performing on the Sophie Lancaster stage on Friday, 10th August, joining a line-up that includes BEHEMOTH, SEPULTURA, TESTAMENT, EVILE, ALICE COOPER and more.

SAVAGE MESSIAH frontman DAVID SILVER comments:

"We're really pleased to announce that we've been confirmed to play at this year's Bloodstock Open Air festival. This should be a great gig, and we're really psyched to put on a great show with all you headbangers! Thanks to everyone that has been rooting for us on all the social media/forums, and we'll see you at the front!"

SAVAGE MESSIAH's new album, PLAGUE OF CONSCIENCE, is out now worldwide on CD and limited edition coloured vinyl LP. Get the album in Europe at http://bit.ly/A9ClhQ or in North America at http://bit.ly/AgH8Dc

PLAGUE OF CONSCIENCE is also available on iTunes with an exclusive bonus track at http://bit.ly/zqbuz3

Friday, May 18, 2012

Canadian heavy metal trio CAULDRON recently entered the studio to begin recording their third full-length album.

The follow-up to 2010's BURNING FORTUNE is being recorded in Parkdale, Toronto, where the band are once again working with producer JAMESON ELLIOTT. The as-yet untitled new album is due to be released later this year on Earache Records.

CAULDRON singer and bassist JASON DECAY comments:

"We recently entered the studio to record our new album. Pretty much the same set up as last time with Jameson Elliott producing with us and recording close to home in Parkdale (Toronto) like we did on Burning Fortune. Chris (Rites) has been nailing the drums and I really think this is the best we've ever sounded in the studio so far. We feel very strongly about the new stuff and can't wait for people to hear it."

Thursday, May 17, 2012

RIVAL SONS have finished recording and mixing their eagerly-anticipated new album in Nashville, Tennessee.

The as-yet untitled follow-up to the band's 2011 breakthrough album, PRESSURE & TIME, was recorded with Grammy-nominated producer DAVE COBB and Grammy-winning engineer VANCE POWELL. The album is due to be released on Earache Records in late August.

RIVAL SONS guitarist SCOTT HOLIDAY comments:

"We have officially completed and turned in our next full length record. We thought we might give ourselves a bit more time to work this time around, as opposed to the 20 days for Pressure & Time... BUT, it was even MORE crazy this time. Everything was finished in about the same amount of time (22 days), but this time we are giving much more music (a much longer record) - nearly twice that of P&T.

"Done in Nashville this time - amazing people, music, music scene, countryside, and some cool record shops. We re-enlisted our long-time producer and friend, Dave Cobb (Jamie Johnson, Secret Sisters, Shooter Jennings, and uh... Rival Sons), and this time we brought in the engineering and mix wizardry of one Mr. Vance Powell (Jack White, Dead Weather, Kings of Leon).

"Songs were once again written and recorded on the spot, allowing the listener to really peer in and catch a snapshot of the moment, and our immediate instincts. Most songs were captured in a few takes, not to mention plenty of first-takers. Pretty off the cuff and unadulterated. We have never had a wish to be predictable or sedentary with our music, and this record explores and supports that ethos pretty well. In other words, this record is not P&T, but delves into a bunch of other musical ideas and sounds. Much more of a 'long-form' record as a whole. Fist-pumpers, ass-shakers, foot-stompers, air guitaring/bassing/drummers, tear-jerkers, heart-string-pullers, and a few straight up freak outs. That's all I'll say for now. Due out late this August."

PRESSURE & TIME is available now as a special redux edition, including two incredible bonus tracks, "Company Man" and "Life For This Road", plus a bonus DVD featuring these great videos:

* 'Gypsy Heart', 'Pressure and Time' and 'Soul' live from High Voltage festival * 'Pressure and Time', 'All Over the Road' and 'Get What's Coming' official promo videos * 'Pressure and Time' live backstage at Werchter festival * Pressure & Time promo trailer

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

EVILE have confirmed dates for a UK headlining tour, which is set to kick off on October 18th in Glasgow.

Following their run around the UK, the band will also be playing a special hometown show on November 3rd at the Holmfirth Picturedrome, dubbed "All Hallows Evile". Tickets for the event will cost just £10 and will be available this Friday at http://www.picturedrome.net

EVILE drummer BEN CARTER comments:

"Evile are damn pleased to announce our UK headline tour in October 2012! We can't wait to get back on the road and get back to some familiar places and some new ones, and see some of our awesome Evile fans both at the gigs and at special meet-and-greets! We always have a great time playing in the UK, and this tour will be no different! We have a few new tricks up our sleeves as well as some old ones haha - we just can't wait to unleash our live assault once again! Get tickets early, tell your friends, hold your parents hostage 'til they buy you a ticket, whatever it takes. Come to the show, thrash yourselves stupid and we'll see you at the bar afterwards! JOIN OUR CULT!!!"

EVILE's new album, FIVE SERPENT'S TEETH, is out now worldwide on CD and limited edition coloured vinyl, and is also available from the Earache Webstore in a range of exclusive "Serpent Cult" fan packs.

THE AFTERMATH is due to be released on July 2nd in Europe and July 3rd in North America. The album was recorded with producer and former MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist LOGAN MADER (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, DEVILDRIVER, GOJIRA) at Darth Mader Studios in Los Angeles.

Monday, May 14, 2012

UTOPIA BANISHED, the fourth album from grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH, has been remastered and is out now on digipak CD and limited edition coloured vinyl LP.

Originally released in 1992, UTOPIA BANISHED confirmed NAPALM DEATH as the premier band in death metal, backed with the classic line-up of Mick Harris (drums), Shane Embury (bass), Mark "Barney" Greenway (vocals), Jesse Pintado (guitar) and Mitch Harris (guitar).

UTOPIA BANISHED has been remastered specially for this release and includes four bonus tracks recorded during the same period. The limited edition vinyl is available in the following quantities and colours:

RIVAL SONS have been confirmed as the main support act for GUNS N' ROSES for two shows in Europe this summer.

RIVAL SONS will be joining GUNS N' ROSES at Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands on June 4th, and then at the Warsteiner Hockey Park in Mönchengladbach, Germany on June 8th.

RIVAL SONS guitarist SCOTT HOLIDAY comments:

"What a great, great opportunity to get these shows supporting Guns N' Roses! Germany has been great to us, and this will only help us reach out to so many more people over there. As far as Guns goes... I remember the first time those guys were ever on MTV, me and my best mate were watching. A total shock to the system, and to me and my friends' lives. We were really young little dudes, but we already loved our rock 'n' roll, and Guns just reeked of reality and grit... I mean they were literally very dirty. And we LOVED it. They ushered in a lot more 'real' and dirtiness to a scene that had become way too fruity-pants. As a wee guitar-playing lad, I couldn't get enough of Appetite For Destruction and Lies. Ready to see and hear some of those first tunes played live!"

RIVAL SONS' breakthrough album, PRESSURE & TIME, is available now as a special redux edition, including two incredible bonus tracks, "Company Man" and "Life For This Road", plus a bonus DVD featuring these great videos:

* 'Gypsy Heart', 'Pressure and Time' and 'Soul' live from High Voltage festival * 'Pressure and Time', 'All Over the Road' and 'Get What's Coming' official promo videos * 'Pressure and Time' live backstage at Werchter festival * Pressure & Time promo trailer

Friday, May 11, 2012

Scottish death metallers CEREBRAL BORE have been confirmed as the headliners for the Capitan Spaulding Fest in Colombia on June 17th.

The band will be heading to South America for two shows, having already been confirmed as headliners for the Extreme Gorefest in Venezuela, before heading to the USA and Canada for the Summer Slaughter tour with CANNIBAL CORPSE, GOATWHORE and more.

CEREBRAL BORE guitarist PAUL MCGUIRE comments:

"When we announced that we were playing in Venezuela, we were overwhelmed by the number of promoters in other countries wanting to book us on the same trip, but due to our current album commitments we are already pushing it by going to South America at all. But, after some deliberation, we decided to add one more show, and Colombia worked best this time around. But we have plans to hit at least five or six South American countries next year, as well as a bunch in Central America, so they just have to hold out a little longer and we guarantee it'll be well worth their wait!"

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

PRESSURE & TIME, the critically acclaimed breakthrough album from RIVAL SONS, is out now in North America as a special CD/DVD deluxe edition.

Originally released in 2011, PRESSURE & TIME took the world of rock by storm with its raucous, blues-infused rock anthems, leading iTunes to hail the band as "Breakthrough Rock Artist of the Year".

The PRESSURE & TIME deluxe edition comes housed in a newly designed slipcase and features a host of extra material, essential for die-hard fans and newcomers alike. Included are two incredible bonus tracks, "Company Man" and "Life For This Road", plus a bonus DVD featuring these great videos:

* 'Gypsy Heart', 'Pressure and Time' and 'Soul' live from High Voltage festival * 'Pressure and Time', 'All Over the Road' and 'Get What's Coming' official promo videos * 'Pressure and Time' live backstage at Werchter festival * Pressure & Time promo trailer

Friday, May 04, 2012

North Carolina doom metallers HOUR OF 13 are gearing up for the release of their highly-anticipated new album, 333, which is due to be released on May 28th.

DARKTHRONE's FENRIZ recently featured HOUR OF 13 in his 'Band of the Week' column, stating, "This new Hour of 13 album simply cannot do wrong - it is immersed in utmost respect and understanding of the ways of old". The album was described by HOUR OF 13 guitarist CHAD DAVIS as "A purely dark heavy metal album for the isolationist in all of us".

333 is HOUR OF 13's third album, and was recorded at Epiphonic Studios in Lenoir, North Carolina.

"The fans have waited long enough for the record and any preview we can give them is our offering to them. We hope the album will show our progression and allegiance to true heavy metal, and this one is for the supporters of Ho13!"

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

BONDED BY BLOOD are offering fans a free download of a brand new track, titled "Restless Mind".

The new track is taken from the band's highly-anticipated new album, THE AFTERMATH, which is due to be released on July 2nd in Europe and July 3rd in North America.

BONDED BY BLOOD frontman MAURO GONZALEZ comments:

"We chose 'Restless Mind' as the first single because it showcases a few different elements of the new album. The lyrics are basically about the troubles we go through in modern society, such as insomnia due to stress of high expectations."

BONDED BY BLOOD are currently on tour in North America with KITTIE, BLACKGUARD and THE AGONIST. BONDED BY BLOOD drummer CARLOS REGALADO updates from the road:

"So far this tour has been an amazing experience! We have made so many new friends and have been enjoying the honor of sharing the stage every night with such awesome bands like The Agonist, Blackguard and, of course, Kittie. So much has happened in just 3 weeks, and we look forward to the next month of shows together. More tours to be announced soon! Be ready for The Aftermath!"

THE AFTERMATH was recorded with producer and former MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist LOGAN MADER (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, DEVILDRIVER, GOJIRA) at Darth Mader Studios in Los Angeles. The album features artwork by VITALY S. ALEXIUS (EVILE, INSIDIOUS DISCREPANCY, ETERNAL REIGN).

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Texas-based electronic metallers THE BROWNING are due to kick off a US tour tonight - Tuesday, May 1st - with industrial metal titans FEAR FACTORY.

The tour starts in San Antonio, Texas, and also includes SHADOWS FALL, THE DEVASTATED and LEGACY OF DISORDER.

THE BROWNING drummer NOAH "SHARK" ROBERTSON comments:

"We are always stoked to hit the road again, but we are especially excited to be touring with such an amazing line-up of bands this time around! We look up to bands like Fear Factory, who are one of the great pioneers of the industrial metal genre, and Shadows Fall, who took part in the New Wave of American Heavy Metal movement. These bands are legendary and it's an honor and a privilege to be sharing the stage with seasoned veterans of the metal scene. We can't wait to be reunited with our friends in The Devastated and to see what Legacy of Disorder has to bring to the table! And as always, we are eager to hang out with our fans and make a lot of new ones! See you soon!"